Ghosts Or Spirits

: STORIES OF SATAN, GHOSTS, ETC.
: Welsh Folk-lore

Ghosts, or Spirits, were supposed to be the shades of departed human

beings who, for certain reasons, were permitted to visit either nightly,

or periodically, this upper world.



The hour that Spirits came to the earth was mid-night, and they remained

until cock-crowing, when they were obliged to depart. So strongly did

the people believe in the hours of these visits, that formerly no one

would stay from h
me later than twelve o'clock at night, nor would any

one proceed on a journey, until chanticleer had announced that the way

was clear. Christmas Eve, however, was an exception, for during that

night, no evil Spirit could appear.



It was thought that if two persons were together, one only could see the

Spirit, to the other he was invisible, and to one person only would the

Spirit speak, and this he would do when addressed; otherwise, he remained

silent.



Ghosts re-visited the world to reveal hidden treasures, and the murdered

haunted the place where their unburied bodies lay, or until vengeance

overtook the murderer, and the wicked were doomed to walk the earth until

they were laid in lake, or river, or in the Red Sea.



The presence of Spirits was announced by a clanking of chains, by

shrieks, or other horrible noises, and dogs, and horses, were credited

with the power of seeing Spirits. Horses trembled and perspired at their

presence, and dogs whined and crouched at their approach.



The tales which I shall now relate throw a glimmering light on the

subject now under consideration.



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